Voting Myth Busters

The Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections office is committed to providing voters with accurate and timely information. We have compiled a list of current fictitious rumors and provided the facts below.

Fiction
Voters can not wear political or promotional apparel to polling places.

Fact
Voters can wear political or promotional apparel such as t-shirts, hats, pins, etc. But they may not verbally express political support or views about candidates, parties, or issues inside the polling place or inside the 100 ft restricted area outside.

Poll workers and poll watchers inside the polling place are not allowed to wear anything political nor carry on any political discussion of any kind, at any time.

Fiction
If your address is not current on your Florida Driver’s License you will not be able to use it as identification to vote.

Fact
The Florida Driver’s license is used for photo and signature identification only. It does not matter if the address is not current. However, you are required to provide your correct current address verbally to the poll worker.

Fiction
Absentee ballots are only counted in a close election.

Fact
All valid absentees, properly signed and received in time, are always all counted, regardless of the closeness of the race.

Fiction
If the middle name on your driver’s license is different than your name in the voter rolls, you will not be able to vote.

Fact
A recognizable name or nickname for your first name and your legal last name is all that is required to vote. If your name is Thomas or Elizabeth on your license, but you registered as Tom or Betty, that is acceptable. Middle name matching is not required.